Posts from 2012

Small Cool 2013 is well underway, and we've seen some really innovative space solutions so far. I've been so inspired by all these small homes that I've even begun visiting the archive to get more ideas. Here are some of my favorite small space tricks, drawn from last year's Small Cool entries.

Day 8: Friday, January 11...and the Weekend of January 12 & 13Assignments: Kitchen Organizing & Cleaning, Find a Recipe and Try it Out

I'm not going to sugar coat it - this is a big weekend, workwise. There's lots to do and it's focused on a room, the kitchen, which many of us find challenging to keep ahead of in terms of clutter and cleaning. So, let's aim for a healthy mix of energy and realistic expectations and, rather than unattainable perfection, we'll set our sights on getting this tough room to a better place by Sunday evening, in time to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.

One of my favorite parts of the new year is checking out all the wonderful retrospective lists that are so lovingly compiled by bloggers and publications. Personally, the music lists are my favorite, since I love new music but rarely take the time to keep abreast of all the new, exciting stuff as it comes out. Here are some year-end lists that have helped me check back in on some of the great albums and artists that I missed out on last year.

Sometimes, at Apartment Therapy, we like to focus not just on the how of decorating, but the why. Besides being beautiful, your home should also be a place where you feel comfortable and happy. This year, our writers tackled a multitude of topics having to with mindful living — from simplifying your life to making peace with the stuff you already own, from tackling humongous, intimidating chores to accepting that there's always going to be something else to do. We also talked about making friends later in life, using your home to accomplish your goals, and some simple ways to be happier at home.

December is a month where we historically publish fewer tours, as we do the year end review posts during the last few weeks of the year. This year, the tour contributors packed lots of goodness into this reduce amount of time. Check out a few favorites from earlier this month and get ready for more amazing tours in the new year ahead...

A someone who thoroughly enjoys a nice cocktail every now and then, one of my favorite parts of our Apartment Therapy House Tours is seeing how other people store and display their liquor. After all, those bottles are just too pretty to hide away. From at-home bars to trays to the top of an old dresser, our House Tour homeowners all had their own stylish solutions.

If your resolution is to entertain more next year, we're here to help. From playlists to master lists, from saving money to saving your sanity, Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn have the basics and your questions covered. Here's our best advice for planning, cooking, and enjoying a dinner party in 2013.

One of the biggest decorating trends, which shows no sign of slowing down, is customizing your home and the pieces in it. You're not starting from scratch with a pile of wood, but you're taking an existing object and putting your own stamp on it: sometimes literally. Here are ten of our favorite custom jobs from the past year:

The word "hack" has evolved to encompass a wide array of projects, whether it's to alter the function of an electronic device beyond its original intent, manipulate the form and design of furnishings, or even change our own behaviors. Hacking isn't just a geeky endeavor any longer, it's at the heart of the DIY spirit, as showcased by the ten projects below...